Kirby Smart, the mastermind behind Georgia Bulldogs’ dominance in college football, has once again proven his unwavering loyalty to his team. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the sports world, Smart has reportedly turned down a staggering **$7.5 million offer** from both the **Michigan Wolverines** and **Notre Dame Fighting Irish** [A](https://footballchamp.com.ng/2025/05/02/espn-report-georgia-bulldogs-head-coach-kirby-smart-shocks-college-football-world-turns-down-stunning-7-5-million-offer-from-michigan-wolverines-and-notre-dame-vows-loyalty-to-georgia-bul/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His decision to remain at Georgia reinforces his deep-rooted commitment to the program he has built into a powerhouse.
### A Stunning Rejection
Michigan and Notre Dame, two of the most prestigious programs in college football, made aggressive attempts to lure Smart away from Georgia. Their lucrative offer was designed to tempt him into a new challenge, but Smart wasted no time in shutting down any speculation about his departure. His response was clear and emphatic: **“I have no plans beyond being the Georgia Bulldogs head coach.”** [A](https://footballchamp.com.ng/2025/05/02/espn-report-georgia-bulldogs-head-coach-kirby-smart-shocks-college-football-world-turns-down-stunning-7-5-million-offer-from-michigan-wolverines-and-notre-dame-vows-loyalty-to-georgia-bul/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1)
This declaration comes after Smart’s recent **contract extension** with Georgia, which solidified his status as the highest-paid coach in college football. His **10-year, $130 million deal**, approved in **May 2024**, includes a **$13 million annual salary** and up to **$1.55 million in performance bonuses**, ensuring his leadership through the **2033 season** [A](https://footballchamp.com.ng/2025/05/02/espn-report-georgia-bulldogs-head-coach-kirby-smart-shocks-college-football-world-turns-down-stunning-7-5-million-offer-from-michigan-wolverines-and-notre-dame-vows-loyalty-to-georgia-bul/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoieG9aRW5UTWU5cjJCd3VjbWtCYm9iIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiQ3NmdkFVaVVqV1NwN2czdmU2U2o3IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvZm9vdGJhbGxjaGFtcC5jb20ubmdcLzIwMjVcLzA1XC8wMlwvZXNwbi1yZXBvcnQtZ2VvcmdpYS1idWxsZG9ncy1oZWFkLWNvYWNoLWtpcmJ5LXNtYXJ0LXNob2Nrcy1jb2xsZWdlLWZvb3RiYWxsLXdvcmxkLXR1cm5zLWRvd24tc3R1bm5pbmctNy01LW1pbGxpb24tb2ZmZXItZnJvbS1taWNoaWdhbi13b2x2ZXJpbmVzLWFuZC1ub3RyZS1kYW1lLXZvd3MtbG95YWx0eS10by1nZW9yZ2lhLWJ1bFwvIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### Why Smart Chose to Stay
Smart’s tenure at Georgia has been nothing short of legendary. Since taking over in **2016**, he has led the Bulldogs to **back-to-back national championships** in **2021 and 2022**, a **29-game winning streak**, and multiple **SEC titles** [A](https://footballchamp.com.ng/2025/05/02/espn-report-georgia-bulldogs-head-coach-kirby-smart-shocks-college-football-world-turns-down-stunning-7-5-million-offer-from-michigan-wolverines-and-notre-dame-vows-loyalty-to-georgia-bul/?copilot_analytics_metadata=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%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His ability to recruit top-tier talent, develop elite players, and maintain a winning culture has made Georgia the gold standard in college football.
Turning down Michigan and Notre Dame wasn’t just about money—it was about legacy. Smart has built something special at Georgia, and walking away from it would mean leaving behind a program that he has meticulously crafted into a dynasty. His deep connection to the university, the fans, and the players played a significant role in his decision.
### The Reaction from the College Football World
Smart’s decision has been met with widespread approval from Georgia fans, who view his loyalty as a testament to his integrity and dedication. Social media erupted with praise, with Bulldogs supporters celebrating his commitment to the team.
Meanwhile, Michigan and Notre Dame fans were left stunned. Both programs had hoped to secure one of the best minds in football, but Smart’s rejection forces them to look elsewhere for leadership.
### What’s Next for Georgia?
With Smart firmly at the helm, Georgia’s future looks brighter than ever. His leadership ensures that the Bulldogs will continue to dominate the **SEC** and remain a perennial contender for national championships. His ability to recruit and develop talent will keep Georgia at the top of college football for years to come.
As the Bulldogs prepare for another season, one thing is certain—Kirby Smart isn’t going anywhere. His loyalty to Georgia is unwavering, and his commitment to excellence will continue to shape the program’s legacy. 🏆🐶
